Brewer, a 33-year-old fighter from Philadelphia, improved 39-9 with an impressive performance that showed he's still among the world's best in his weight class. Whitaker, 30, from Warren, Ohio, fell to 27-9-2.

Brewer dominated the action almost from the opening bell. Whitaker's white trunks were stained with blood from a cut in his mouth in the third round, and he sustained a cut above his right eye two rounds later.

In accordance with the prefight contract, both boxers were permitted to come in over the super-middleweight limit of 168 pounds. Whitaker weighed 171 pounds to Brewer's 169 for the bout at the Tropicana Casino and Resort.